To be a forum for the discussion of key developments in policy and to help formulate the NHDG’s response to emerging policy changes and generate strong ideas to improve the sector.
Policy Working Group
Policy Working Group
Purpose
Aim
To represent the views of the NHDG on UK home decarbonisation and retrofit policy and work with the Government to increase support for large-scale, high-quality home decarbonisation.
Chairperson: Michael McGowan, Mears
The Policy Working Group is a platform to
transform discussion into action
With support from DESNZ, the NHDG and its members are working collaboratively to realise the Government’s decarbonisation targets and improve the quality of housing across the UK as we move towards net zero. The goal of the working group is to identify the barriers preventing us from achieving our home decarbonisation targets, and to use our knowledge and experience to generate innovative approaches to overcome them.
Pillar 1
Interrelating health
and retrofit
Recognising the positive impact of having well insulated homes on human health and the knock-on effect this has on financial savings for the NHS.
Pillar 2
Long-term commitment to
energy efficiency delivery
Extending the length of schemes and guaranteeing long-term funding will incentivise engagement from industry and support housing decarbonisation.
Pillar 3
Reducing complexity and
increasing effectiveness
Having consistent product quality, eligibility criteria and accreditation requirements will allow more installers to engage with schemes, thus increasing the number of consumers supported.
Pillar 1: Interrelating health and retrofit
Quantifying the health impact of retrofit measures
Quantifying the health impact of retrofit measures in terms of public finances will enable this to be integrated into policy and shape outcomes that will save the NHS money and reduce the negative health implications of poorly insulated and poorly ventilated homes.
Review and research existing methodologies
Review and research existing methodologies for producing a cost-benefit analysis of the health impact of retrofit measures. Using this, develop a proposal for integration into policy and an assessment of the health benefits of a major scale up of SHDF.
Develop a public awareness campaign
Develop a public awareness campaign to build knowledge on the link between retrofit and health, and direct consumers towards the existing support that is available to them to improve their properties.
Pillar 2: Long term commitment to energy efficiency delivery
Fiscal reform to create long term incentives
Incentivising uptake from the able-to-pay market is key to create a long term, organic market for retrofit that is not dependent on government subsidies. To incentivise investment, financial institutions are offering innovative solutions including green mortgages and low interest loans.
This helps to boost uptake of green technologies, encourage private sector investment in retrofit and support a just transition.
Move beyond Spending Review periods to 10-year programmes
There are many impactful government-funded schemes supporting housing retrofit. Historically, however, funding has been stop-and-start which creates uncertainty for industry and deters long term investment. 10-year programmes will enable more households to benefit and give industry the confidence to invest in long term delivery and skills development.
Sustained support for vulnerable households
The NHDG believe no one should be left behind in the energy transition. To ensure this, the Government’s support for those on low incomes and in fuel poverty must continue through schemes such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund which offers grant funding to social landlords and housing associations to improve the condition of their housing stock. This funding ensures that households are living in warm and safe homes fit for the future.
Pillar 3: Reducing complexity and increasing effectiveness
Consistent quality and accreditation requirements across schemes
Current energy efficiency schemes have different quality standards and accreditation requirements which retrofit contractors must adhere to when delivering measures through the schemes. These differences create delays and higher costs for businesses looking to support scheme delivery. By having consistent requirements across schemes industry will be encouraged to participate in their delivery.
Supporting the enforcement of MEES
Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) would place a requirement on private landlords to upgrade all their rented properties to a minimum level of energy efficiency. Enforcing these standards would reduce tenants’ exposure to cold and mouldy homes, and protect them from associated physical and mental health problems. Without MEES, landlords will not be required to improve the efficiency of their properties, meaning that some renters will continue to be exposed to adverse health impacts.
Greater flexibility for local authorities to incorporate green finance
Local authorities generally carry out retrofit through Government-funded schemes, however these often target low-income families. To deliver home improvements to a wider cross-section of residents, better access to green finance is needed to ensure a more holistic and less piecemeal approach to retrofit.
Useful definitions
Health impacts range from allergic reactions to respiratory illnesses, heart disease and cardiac arrest. Living in mouldy or excessively cold homes is also linked to mental health problems including depression and anxiety.
Indoor environments include indoor temperatures that are too cold or too hot, high humidity levels, high noise levels and poor air quality. This is often due to poor insulation and ventilation in a property.
Insulation acts as a barrier to heat transfer, ensuring homes stay warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather, helping to maintain a consistent indoor temperature. There are many different types of insulation, including loft, room-in-roof, cavity wall, solid wall and underfloor insulation, among others.
Ventilation creates healthier indoor environments by allowing fresh air to flow into a home. Adequate ventilation also reduces the risk of condensation and mould.
How to join
Membership of the NHDG is open to Tier 1 contractors or energy suppliers that contract and directly deliver £20+ million turnover per year of whole-house retrofit at scale, supported by government-funded schemes such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). Eligible turnover must come from work contracted directly with clients and not through third parties such as energy companies or other bodies.
Applicants must provide evidence to support that they meet the criteria. Evidence includes:
- The most recent audited accounts for the past two trading years; and
- Evidence of large-scale retrofit works either delivered or secured (minimum of £20 million)
Please be aware that the eligibility criteria may be changed at any time by the group.
